Micro-embossing: Great effect for your labels

Micro-embossing, what is it? It is an innovative and unique finishing technique. Micro-embossing allows you to turn your labels into real eye-catchers. Expert Sascha Dremel explains in detail how this technique works and which tools are used for it.

Katharina Crusius • 2026-01-09

Productie Materialen Afwerkingen

Telling Stories with Finishing Touches

With the right finishing touches, you can create unique, even breathtaking effects on your labels. Used correctly, they add depth to your product packaging and complement the other effects with their special texture and quality. Tactile finishes in particular, such as blind and relief embossing, make your labels tangible. So, in order to exploit the full potential of your labels, you should consider how finishes will contribute to that.

Relief embossing is ideal for a particularly high-quality appearance. It combines the tactile properties of blind embossing with the visual appeal of hot foil stamping. By deforming the material and applying a glossy hot foil, your label becomes a canvas for exciting interplays between light and shadow.

Micro embossing

For some time now, we at unieketiket.nl have been offering more then relief embossed and blind embossed labels. We expanded our range of high-quality finishes to include micro embossing. Micro embossing is an innovative technique that creates an eye-catching effect. Like blind or relief embossing, this practice works using specially manufactured embossing tools. Its intricate nature is both fascinating and complex. That’s why we consulted an expert in the field to gain a more detailed understanding of the possibilities.

Conversation with an expert

The embossing tools we use for MicroEmbossing are manufactured by Hinderer + Mühlich. H+M is a global company and leading manufacturer of embossing tools. Sascha Dremel is Business Development Manager at Hinderer + Mühlich. Among other things, he is an expert on micro embossing and took the time to answer some of our questions.

What material are your embossing tools made of?

“Our MicroEmbossing tools are made of high-quality brass. This material is particularly suitable for realizing even the finest structures with high precision.”

What effect do different embossing materials have on the finished embossed product?

“I have summarized the key points to explain why brass is the material of choice.

Brass has excellent heat-conduction properties. As a result, it consumes less energy than other embossing materials. This kind of efficiency not only saves you time, but also costs and energy.
Brass embossers last longer and wear out less quickly. This counters excessive waste. It also contributes to both cost efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Brass is particularly resistant to corrosion and can therefore withstand long periods of storage. This also ensures that these embossing tools can be used for a long time.
Thanks to the special surface structure of the brass, these tools achieve extremely high-quality and, above all, precise results. From tiny structures to razor-sharp reliefs, brass embossers are true all-rounders.”

What labeling materials are your embossing tools suitable for?

“H+M embossing tools can be used with all paper materials. Coated materials are most suitable for MicroEmbossing. With other materials, it depends on the combination of the material and the desired pattern. Depending on this, the pattern may not be visible. We will be happy to give you an initial assessment of feasibility in advance.”

Can your embossers be combined with all hot foils?

“In principle, yes – our tools are compatible with all common hot foils. The important thing is to match the temperature, pressure and time correctly to the respective foil thickness and label material.”

Does microembossing also work without foil? In other words, can the label material itself be deformed?

“With MicroEmbossing, the label material is not deformed; the effect is created by the play of light and shadow on the film. Therefore, the effects cannot be achieved with blind embossing.”

How delicate can the elements being embossed with your tool be? (minimum line thickness)

“The minimum line thickness is 0.08 mm. In the negative area, you need 0.3 mm so that these areas do not smear.”

Do you have general application recommendations for customers who want to embellish their labels with MicroEmbossing?

“It is important to use an appropriate material, otherwise there are few limits to what you can imagine.”

Convince yourself

Interested?

Have we piqued your interest? Then request a sample today! In addition, if you would like a personal consultation, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help you find the ideal labeling solution for you.

Design with the professionals

Perhaps your curiosity has now been sparked and you would also like to label with micro embossing elements, but somehow lack the decisive vision? Then you have come to the right place! unieketiket.nl has a team of creative graphic designers. Our inspiration experts will be happy to help you design an innovative, unique and beautiful label with (or of course without) micro embossing.

Medeauteur: Sascha Dremel, Business Development Manager